Eight is GREAT!

In the words of my good friend, the late Rob Dewitt, HOLY SMOKES!

Like seriously - how does time go by so fast?  It feels like it was just yesterday that Jill and I were leaving another hospital after visiting a friend, when her contractions started and we headed to a different hospital.  And then later that evening Corbin introducing us to his daughter.  Seeing him become a father and to watch my husband become "Papa" is one of the sweetest memories I have.

And now look at her.  Chloee turned EIGHT YEARS OLD.  8 years feels like a blink.

Chlo is really into Minecraft, so of course, Karalee made an amazing Minecraft cake.  I swear she amazes me every cake she does.  She shows more and more talent!

The party at Boondocks included some family and friends.  Good times!

Then some LaserTag

Some go carts

And then some batting cages - so fun to see Corb and Chlo taking batting practice

And then of course the arcades that even little Addy could have fun with

Of course her party was fun and I think she'll always remember it, but the big event was getting baptized.

In our religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we believe children reach the age of accountiability at 8 years old and they are then given the option of being baptized a member of the church and make covenants with God to keep His commandments.  It's a big deal.  It's often the birthday most Mormon children anticipate the most.  Because it's a big deal, and we hold the ordinance sacred, there are no pictures.  Just a nice simple beautiful one of my family all together.

(yes that is a neck brace - a different post for another day, but isn't my family beautiful?)

In the few months that have passed since her big day, she is just blossoming into an even more (if possible) beautiful, kind, thoughtful young lady.  She tries hard to do what's right and is thoughtful of other's feelings.  She is respectful and loving to her parents and is a sweet cousin to Addy.  I really can't imagine our family without her and every day, we express gratitude for her.

Happy Birthday Chloee!!  Eight IS really great!

Festival of Trees 2014 - Raising Awareness for Cystic Fibrosis

I am still trying to catch up on all my posts that have rattled around in my head but figured this would be a good time for this one since it's May and CF Awareness month.  So what if Festival was almost 6 months ago :)

Christmas isn't Christmas unless we get involved with Festival.  It just kicks everything off!  Festival of Trees is a wonderful organization that puts on a yearly event to begin the Christmas season.  It is a fundraiser for our local children's hospital - Primary Children's Medical Center.  100% of all proceeds go to the hospital and it's not unusual to reach well into the 1+ million dollars.

Most CF patients are diagnosed at birth or in their early months of life.  They are generally very ill, very frequently and can often spend more of their lives IN the hospital than out.  PCMC is the place that these children virtually live.  The facility is a non-profit center and will not turn any child away regardless of ability to pay.  It's the perfect thing to support at Christmas time for our local CF patients..

I've always tried to find a way to volunteer my time and once I got brave and did a tree for Suicide Awareness.  You can read about that one here.

This year, I knew that I wanted to do another tree and I knew exactly what it needed to be.  After proposing my idea to my family and then seeing what help I could have from my employer, the great undertaking began.  I had so much help from family and friends with everything from dollars, to time, to decorating, to quilting, to just plain support.

Of course we did a running theme, and named it Running for Cystic Fibrosis.  We had a huge shoe rack with all brand new shoes that were generously donated by my employer Wasatch Running Center

Mindy's aunt made the quilt that we draped over the table, and the tree skirt that you really can't see.  Vendors donated socks, body glide, foot rubs and we used those as ornaments, and in the baskets.  We wrapped several new pairs of shoes as presents under the tree and used some as the tree topper.  Kelley came to my rescue the morning of decorating day and helped me make it cute since I am completely inept there.

I got a 65 purple roses and displayed them on the table with a picture of Mindy and a little blurb I had typed up to let guests see and understand what the tree was about.  

Our runner girl was made out of PVC pipe and huge thanks to Becca and Splenda Daddy for all their help

I have to say, by the time it all came together, I was thrilled!  It was exactly how I had imagined it and now I was just waiting to see if others liked it, more importantly if it would sell and raise the money for the medical center.

Luckily, it sold the very first night at the asking price.  The buyer chooses to stay anonymous, but they are dear friends of mine and all those shoes went to others in need.  Win-Win!

Then of course, I wanted everyone who went to festival to take their picture by the tree

my fake extra granddaughters Amelia and Olivia

Nancy and her husband

Diane

Matt & Amy

Hannah and Carter

The quilter extraordinaire - Katherine

Shanna's cute kids

Shanna

Cute Ella

Chloee and Karalee

And of course, the whole inspiration for the tree....

My Luke and Mindy

It was absolutely the funnest experience.  Yes, very stressful at times hoping it would all come together, but when it was all finished - I was so pleased!  Combining two passions in one - running and raising awareness and money for Cystic Fibrosis patients.  It really was just a cool, cool thing.

Of course, the list of people that I need to make sure I specifically thank again:

Wasatch Running Center and employees

Splenda Daddy

The Shaw's

The Patane's 

Kelley Severinsen

Travis Ferran

Jennifer Hanna and Zynergy Body Works

Debbie Dewitt

Vendors:

Balega, Feetures, Body Glide, and Foot Rubz

As always, doing a tree is a huge undertaking and right now, I have no plans for this year, but maybe as it gets closer, I might change my mind :)

What I do know is that the Catmull's will be there again volunteering our time and donating our money towards the medical care of children, especially our Cystic Fibrosis family

Cystic Fibrosis Awareness month - Why it's so important to me

In one word?

Her

My beautiful daughter-in-love.  I known her since she was a little girl and I never imagined she would grow up and marry my son and yet, here it is, a dream come true.

CLICK HERE to read in her own words on her fundraising page for this month's Great Strides 5k walk program and PLEASE (yes, I'm begging) donate - even it's just a little bit.

I watch her struggle.  I see her bad days.  But I also see her happy, in love, running, serving other people daily and working at a job that is meaningful.  We as a family choose to see the good in life and not dwell on the negative.  However, the fact is this:  The only thing holding us back from finding a cure is funding.  Plain and simple it's money.  This foundation doesn't get the press and print attention that others do.  Yes, everyone knows cancer and there are several charity foundations from which to choose and they get a lot of attention and federal funding.  Same thing with say, diabetes.  With CFF, they have gotten lost in the funding black hole.  Is it because it's genetic? It's progressive?  It's fatal 100% of the time?  I'm grateful for the advancements in medicine that have greatly improved the quality of life and the life span of a Cystic Fibrosis patient, but the reality is they need more attention and more money.  We need a cure.

Know this:  I will work every day of my life to continue in the cause.   I will fight for federal funding as well as personal fundraising.  My goal is for my son and his wife to enjoy their marriage long into their old age.  To have children, raise a family.  I will fight for her to have the blessing of being a mother and heck, a grandmother!

This is my cause.  My reason to be involved, raise awareness which leads to raising funds is quite simply my family.  It's personal and we'll Fight Until there's a Cure Found.